Scopus Açık Erişimli Yayınlar

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11727/10760

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    Global Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Era on Kidney Transplantation Activities: Analysis of WHO Data
    (2022) Ferhatoglu, Murat Ferhat; Filiz, Ali Ilker; Sahin, Osman Z.; Gurkan, Alp; 34986975
    Background. Uncertainty raises questions in kidney transplant during the severe acute respira-tory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic regarding the recipient, the donor, and health care professionals. The pandemic not only has disrupted kidney transplanted patients but also has influenced transplant systems, donation chains, and timely and safe transplant surgeries. In the present study, we aimed to explore the global effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on kidney transplant.Methods. We collected transplantation statistics and SARS-CoV-2 pandemic data from the World Health Organization website on June 15, 2021. Spearman correlation analysis was applied to assess the strength of a monotonic relationship among quantitative variables. We also demon-strated the clinical characteristics of our kidney recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results. Comparison of the mean of global kidney transplantation statistics between 2010 and 2019 with 2020 statistics showed a significant decrease in kidney transplant from living donors (P < .001). From the beginning of the pandemic to June 15, 2021, 1 of the 43 kidney transplant patients we treated in our clinic died of SARS-CoV-2 infection after discharge. Two of the patients we transplanted and saw in follow-up before the pandemic died of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusion. While the overall kidney transplant numbers have increased in the year to date, kidney transplants decreased drastically at the onset of the pandemic.
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    Promising Drug Fondaparinux for the Treatment of COVID-19: an In Silico Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Heparin, Direct Oral Anticoagulant, and Antiplatelet Drug Interactions with Host Protease Furin
    (2022) Ertan-Bolelli, Tugba; Bolelli, Kayhan; Elci, Sitki Doga; Belen-Apak, F. Burcu; 0000-0002-2179-997X; 0000-0002-9278-6703; 36401727; G-5289-2013
    Purpose As of July 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 555 million worldwide confirmed cases and caused more than 6.3 million deaths. The studies showed that the D-dimer levels were increased in non-survivors compared to survivors and heparin treatment has begun to be administered to the patients in severe clinics. As we knew that the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 to the host cell needs to be facilitated by host proteases; we published our hypothesis that heparin as a serine protease inhibitor may block the interaction between spike protein receptor-binding domain and host proteases. In our study, we aimed to investigate the interactions between not only heparins but also other antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs including fondaparinux. Methods In this study, docking studies were carried out to evaluate the interactions between low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) (enoxaparin, dalteparin, tinzaparin), direct oral anticoagulant, and antiplatelet drugs with host proteases. Molecular docking studies were performed by using Schrodinger molecular modeling software. 3D structures of the ligands were obtained from the 2D structures by assigning the OPLS-2005 force field using the Maestro 12.7. The 3D crystal structure of the furin complexed with an inhibitor, 2,5-dideoksistreptamin derivative, was extracted from the Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 5MIM). Docking studies were carried out using the Grid-based Ligand Docking with Energetics module of the Schrodinger Software. Results The docking studies revealed that fondaparinux was the most relevant molecule to interact with furin with a docking score of - 12.74. It showed better interaction than the natural ligand of furin with an increased score compared to the docking score of - 8.155 of the natural ligand. AnaGA*IsA structure representing LMWH structure has shown a docking score of - 11.562 which was also better than the score of the natural ligand of furin. Conclusion Our findings have shown that LMWHs and fondaparinux can be used for their possible antiviral effects in COVID-19 patients. Our results have shown that in accordance with heparin and LMWH, fondaparinux can also be a candidate for "drug repurposing" in COVID-19 therapy, not only because of their anticoagulant but also possible antiviral effects.
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    A Global Experiment On Motivating Social Distancing During The COVID-19 Pandemic
    (2022) Karaarslan, Cemre; 35622891
    Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one's core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people's existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges.
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    Inappropriate use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic: primum non nocere!
    (2022) Barac, Aleksandra; Bartoletti, Michele; Azap, Ozlem; Bussini, Linda; Ergonul, Onder; Krause, Robert; Ramon Pano-Pardo, Jose; Power, Nicholas R.; Rodriguez-Bano, Jesus; Sibani, Marcella; Szabo, Balint Gergely; Tsiodras, Sotirios; Verweij, Paul E.; Martin Quiros, Alejandro; Zollner-Schwetz, Ines; 35337977
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    Comparison Of Confirmed And Probable COVID-19 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit During The Normalization Period
    (2022) Yesiler, Fatma Irem; Capras, Mesher; Kandemir, Emre; Sahinturk, Helin; Gedik, Ender; Zeyneloglu, Pinar; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0612-8481; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0159-4771; 34812130; AAJ-4212-2021; AAJ-1419-2021
    The decrease in social distance together with the normalization period as of June 1, 2020, in our country caused an increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Our aim was to compare the demographic features, clinical courses, and outcomes of confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) during the normalization period. Critically ill 128 COVID-19 patients between June 1, 2020, and December 2, 2020, were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 69.7 +/- 15.5 y (61.7% male). Sixty-one patients (47.7%) were confirmed. Dyspnea (75.0%) was the most common symptom and hypertension (71.1%) was the most common comorbidity. The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation System (APACHE II) score; Glasgow Coma Score; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on ICU admission were 17.4 +/- 8.2,12.3 +/- 3.9, and 5.9 +/- 3.4, respectively. One hundred and one patients (78.1%) received low-flow oxygen, 48 had high-flow oxygen therapy (37.5%), and 59 (46.1%) had invasive mechanical ventilation. Fifty-three patients (41.496) had vasopressor therapy and 30 (23.4%) patients had renal replacement therapy due to acute kidney injury (AKI). Confirmed patients were more tachypneic (p= 0.005) and more hypoxemic than probable patients (p < 0.001). Acute respiratory distress syndrome and AKI were more common in confirmed patients than probable (both p < 0.001). Confirmed patients had higher values of hemoglobin, C- reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer than probables (respectively, p = 0.028. 0.006, 0.000. and 0.019). The overall mortality was higher in confirmed patients (p = 0.209, 52.6% vs. 47.4%). Complications are more common among confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU. The mortality rate of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU was found to be higher than probable patients. Mortality of confirmed cases was higher than prediction of APACHE-II scoring system.
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    Cognitive Training Using A Mobile App As A Coping Tool Against COVID-19 Distress: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial
    (2022) Akin-Sari, Burcin; Inozu, Mujgan; Haciomeroglu, A. Bikem; Trak, Ezgi; Tufan, Damla; Doron, Guy; 35636516
    Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been suggested to constitute a broad base stressor with severe mental health consequences. mHealth applications are accessible self-help tools that can be used to reduce psychological distress during the pandemic. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of mobile-based cognitive training exercises on COVID-19 related distress and maladaptive cognitions.Methods: Following initial screening (n = 924), participants scoring 1 standard deviations above the mean of the COVID-19 Distress Scale were randomized into two groups. Participants in the immediate-app group (iApp; n = 25) started using the application at baseline (T0) for 12 days (from T0 to T1). Participants in the delayed-app group (dApp; n = 22) started using the mobile application at T1 (crossover) and used it for the following 12 days (T1 to T2).Results: Intention to treat analyses indicated that the iApp group exhibited lower COVID-19 distress, lower depression, fewer intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive beliefs than the dApp group at T1. In addition, using the app for 12 consecutive days was associated with large effect-size reductions (Cohen's d ranging from 0.81 to 2.35) in COVID-19 distress and related maladaptive cognitions in the iApp group (from T0 to T1) and the dApp group (from T1 to T2). Moreover, these reductions were maintained at the follow-up. Limitations: This study was a crossover trial with a relatively limited sample size and mainly female participants. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the usefulness of brief, low-intensity, portable interventions in alleviating the negative effects of the pandemic on mental health.
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    Factors associated with progression of depression, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms in outpatients and inpatients with COVID-19: A longitudinal study
    (2022) Alici, Yasemin Hosgoren; Cinar, Gule; Hasanli, Jamal; Ceran, Selvi; Onar, Deha; Gulten, Ezgi; Kalkan, Irem Akdemir; Memikoglu, Kemal Osman; Celik, Casit Olgun; Devrimci-Ozguven, Halise; 0000-0003-3384-8131; 0000-0003-1364-625X; 0000-0002-7984-2440; 0000-0002-7190-5443; 35593144; AAJ-8113-2021; AAK-3227-2021; AAD-5477-2021
    It is known that there is an increase in the frequency of psychiatric disturbances in the acute and post-illness phase of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Comorbid psychiatric symptoms complicate the management of patients and negatively affect the prognosis, but there is no clear evidence of their progress. We aimed to determine psychiatric comorbidity in inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19 and recognize the factors that predict psychiatric comorbidity. For this purpose, we evaluated patients on the first admission and after 4 weeks. We investigated psychiatric symptoms in outpatients (n = 106) and inpatients (n = 128) diagnosed with COVID-19. In the first 7 days after diagnosis (first phase), sociodemographic and clinic data were collected, a symptom checklist was constructed, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Severity of Acute Stress Symptoms Scale (SASSS) were applied. After 30-35 days following the diagnosis, the SASSS and the HADS were repeated. In the first phase, the frequency of depression and anxiety were 55% and 20% in inpatients, and 39% and 18% in outpatients, respectively. In the second phase, depression scores are significantly decreased in both groups whereas anxiety scores were decreased only in inpatients. The frequencies of patients reporting sleep and attention problems, irritability, and suicide ideas decreased after 1 month. Patients with loss of smell and taste exhibit higher anxiety and depression scores in both stages. Our results revealed that the rate of psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients improves within 1 month. Inpatients have a more significant decrease in both depression and anxiety frequency than do outpatients. The main factor affecting anxiety and depression was the treatment modality. Considering that all patients who were hospitalized were discharged at the end of the first month, this difference may be due to the elimination of the stress caused by hospitalization.
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    Tracing students' mathematics learning loss during school closures in teachers' self-reported practices
    (2022) Haser, Cigdem; Dogan, Oguzhan; Erhan, Gonul Kurt
    The study explored how mathematics learning loss took place among Turkish middle school students during the COVID-19 school closures through mathematics teachers' self-reported practices, challenges, and efforts while they were trying to support their students' learning. Interviews with 19 public and 9 private middle school mathematics teachers indicated that there were certain differences in teachers' practices and revealed the existing inequalities among the schools, classrooms, and students. Students' lack of participation, teachers' limited use of methods to teach mathematics, the socio-economic status of families and their lack of collaboration with teachers were among the reasons for mathematics learning loss.
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    Protective Motivators and Precautionary Behaviors Against COVID-19 in Turkey
    (2023) Turen, Ufuk; Gokmen, Yunus; Erdem, Haluk; Kalkin, Gokdeniz; 35394534
    In this research, we investigated the protection motivators and precautionary behaviors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associations between them. To do this, we developed two original scales, collected data (2783 responses) using an online survey, after removing the responses (319), which were filled in incompletely or incorrectly in the questionnaire, we obtained 2464 participants covering the aged 18+ population in Turkey. Based on random sampling, our sample complies with these ratios and generally reflects the aged 18+ population of Turkey. We confirmed the psychometrical validity and reliability of our two scales using the collected data. Herewith, we found that perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 infection is very high, perceived severity of COVID-19 is medium, COVID-19 related information seeking is high, beliefs on precautions' efficacy is high and also the practice of precautionary behaviors is high. Our research depicts that all protection motivators significantly are related with the practice of precautionary behaviors (routine and leisure). However, with the only exception of perceived severity of COVID-19 is not related with precautionary behaviors (routine). Besides, we saw that females' average in all variables is significantly higher than males and some variables are sensitive to age, education level, marital status and the number of children. We believe that the findings provide essential inputs for authorities in establishing public health policies against the present pandemic and likely ones in the future.
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    SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and their Viral Variants
    (2022) Cosar, Begum; Karagulleoglu, Zeynep Yagmur; Unal, Sinan; Ince, Ahmet Turan; Uncuoglu, Dilruba Beyza; Tuncer, Gizem; Kilinc, Bugrahan Regaip; Ozkan, Yunus Emre; Ozkoc, Hikmet Ceyda; Demir, Ibrahim Naki; Eker, Ali; Karagoz, Feyzanur; Simsek, Said Yasin; Yasar, Bunyamin; Pala, Mehmetcan; Demir, Aysegul; Atak, Irem Naz; Mendi, Aysegul Hanife; Bengi, Vehdi Umut; Sevel, Guldane Cengiz; Altuntas, Evrim Gunes; Kilic, Pelin; Demir-Dora, Devrim; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0359-6308; 34580015
    Mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occur spontaneously during replication. Thousands of mutations have accumulated and continue to since the emergence of the virus. As novel mutations continue appearing at the scene, naturally, new variants are increasingly observed.Since the first occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a wide variety of drug compounds affecting the binding sites of the virus have begun to be studied. As the drug and vaccine trials are continuing, it is of utmost importance to take into consideration the SARS-CoV-2 mutations and their respective frequencies since these data could lead the way to multi-drug combinations. The lack of effective therapeutic and preventive strategies against human coronaviruses (hCoVs) necessitates research that is of interest to the clinical applications.The reason why the mutations in glycoprotein S lead to vaccine escape is related to the location of the mutation and the affinity of the protein. At the same time, it can be said that variations should occur in areas such as the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and vaccines and antiviral drugs should be formulated by targeting more than one viral protein.